United Airlines updating in-flight entertainment

(USA TODAY) -- United Airlines passengers will soon be able to watch United's in-flight entertainment offerings on their own laptops or on personal devices powered by Apple's iOS operating system.

The nation's second-biggest carrier will begin rolling out the option in April, saying it will add the system to "select aircraft." United promised that most "mainline" planes would be outfitted with the new system by the end of 2014.

"We'll begin on Airbus A319, Airbus A320, Boeing 747-400 and select 777-200 aircraft, followed by additional fleets," United says in a statement announcing the roll-out. "In the end, all United-operated flights will have some form of entertainment."

The move does not cover the significant number of regional aircraft operated for United by its United Express affiliates.

On planes where the option is offered, United says customers will be able to "choose from over 150 movies and nearly 200 TV shows and watch them free of charge" on their own devices.

The option will be available for fliers using their laptops. Those with mobile devices using Apple's IOS operating system will need to have United's app to access the new in-flight entertainment system. United says "Android and other mobile devices are not fully supported at this time."

United spokeswoman Karen May tells Today in the Sky the carrier "expects to offer the service for Android devices later this year."